Articles in the annual report include: the visit by Helen Keller and Polly Thompson to Australia and laying the foundation stone for the hostel, completion of the hostel and appeal for funds to furnish it as well as purchase machinery for printing books in Braille, establishing a kindergarten and providing a recreation ground, lodgment of an application for 6 acres of land at Matraville as a recreation ground - especially cricket as the team has been hosted by Victoria and Queensland and look forward to entertaining these teams on a home ground, home teachers Roy Kippax, W A Davis and C R Rae continue to work across the state and it is hoped that a branch will be established in the Newcastle area to provide extra service to the northern district, the occupational therapy department is growing in demand however Terry Odillo Maher had to relinquish her position and Margaret Lester has taken on the role, the 'Glow Worn' sessions continue on 2GB with musicians presenting their talents for the general public to enjoy, baskets, brooms and mats continue to be made in our industrial workshops, departure of Secretary A E Stephen and addition of A F Albert to the committee.9 typewritten pages bound into a book of annual reportscorporation records, royal sydney industrial blind institution, helen keller, polly thompson, helen keller hostel, cricket, terry odillo maher, margaret lester, roy kippax, w.a. davis, c.r. rae, goodie reeve, alexis albert, a.e. stephen, 2gb

Articles in the annual report include: the official opening of the Helen Keller Hostel for Blind Women by the Governor General, the inauguration of a northern branch in Newcastle, improvements in the recreation area behind William Street, extension of 'diversional' (occupational) therapy department, formation of the Braille Writers of NSW, retirement of H.W. Thompson as Honorary Librarian - a position he has held for 40 years, Roy Kippax became Chief Librarian, the resignation of A.J. Harris as Superintendent, talking books were in constant demand for those not able to read embossed type, S.L. Kerry joined the Home Teaching department, the garden at the Helen Keller hostel was designed by F Walker from Woollahra Council with rare herbs donated by Charles Noake, a nursery has also been established at the hostel for blind babies and currently twins are being cared for by special staff, a pro-type scheme whereby blind children could attend kindergarten has been trialed and proven most successful, the 15 minute 'Glow Worm' session celebrated it's 11th birthday and continues to provide valuable airtime to the Institution with listeners able to donate sufficient monies to furnish a double bedroom at the hostel in a recent appeal, the workshops were in full production except during the six week coal strike however wages were continued to paid regardless of this, improvements to lighting, hot water systems, lockers and ovens were added to the workshops, and the playing area was levelled and re-grassed giving improved facilities for lunch time cricket.13 typewritten pages bound into a book of annual reportscorporation records, royal sydney industrial blind institution, helen keller hostel, cricket, roy kippax, herbert thompson, a.j. harris, f walker, charles noake, goodie reeve, braille writers association of new south wales, stuart kerry

Articles in the annual report include: the supply of building materials for a Hostel for Blind Women (courtesy of guest speaker Hon. Clive Evatt), inability to secure a holiday property has resulted in a holiday benefit fund being established to pay the costs for a blind person and their guide, the upcoming addition of an Occupational Therapist on staff, to establish an Honour Roll for outstanding services to the blind, the continuance of the 'Glow Worm' radio broadcast on 2GB, and that despite good sales, manufacturing continues to run at a loss compared to commercial factories.1 volume of text and imagescorporation records, royal sydney industrial blind institution, k l barry, j eyre, e vance

Articles in the annual report include: excitement around the acceptance of Helen Keller to visit Australia under the auspices of the Institution and to lay the foundation stone for the Helen Keller Hostel for Blind Women, establishment of an Occupational Therapy Department for crafts under the guide of Miss T Odillo Maher, additional of Rivis Mead to the Honour Roll, Roy Kippax has been honoured by the R.S.S. and A.I.L.A., difficulties in securing materials and stoppages due to shortages in utilities, popularity of talking book machines, recruitment for volunteer drivers to help Home Teaching department, continuing success of 2GB 'Glow Worm' radio program and the passing of former President Ernest A Scott and blinded soldier and Commercial Representative W.L. Jones.1 volume of text and imagescorporation records, royal sydney industrial blind institution, rivis mead, helen keller, roy kippax, occupational therapy, goodie reeve, ernest scott, w l jones, terry odillo maher

Articles in the annual report include: opening of the only nursery for blind babies and children at Victor Maxwell House, a new Braille shorthand class, the erection of an Occupational Therapy Department building, the development of a new switchboard operation course, a trial of long-term prisoners producing Braille has resulted in 83 being created, a profile on the late Jean Currie and appointment of Coral Cook in that position, awarding of an MBE to R.W. Kippax (who has occupied many positions at the Institution), thanks to A.F Toll for the free transport of Braille volumes and the Black and White Committee on another outstanding Ball, and the success of the NSW Blind Cricket Club and the young women at Helen Keller hostel forming the Amazons Blind Girls Sports Club.1 volume of text and imagescorporation records, royal sydney industrial blind institution, jean currie, black and white committee, nsw blind cricket, coral cook, victor maxwell kindergarten, cricket, braille writers association of new south wales, a.f. toll pty ltd, roy kippax, graeme dark, sandra dark, parramatta gaol

Articles in the annual report include: occupation of the Helen Keller hostel by 22 residents, in order to expand the supply of Braille books selected long-term prisoners in one gaol began tuition in Braille writing and have transcribed 33 volumes in 7 months, it is expected that the Braille Printing Press ordered from England three years ago will arrive before the end of 1951, the Braille Writers Association of NSW are adding greatly to the work done by volunteer transcribers, the home teaching team of R. Kippax, S. Kerry and C. Rae continue to provide outstanding service, listing of the volunteers who have provided a driving service to assist teachers reach people in their own homes however more drivers are needed, the decision to make a nursery for blind children after temporarily caring for a set of twins, thank you to Goodie Reeve and 2GB for the 'Glow Worm' sessions each Saturday morning, monthly Blind Artists concerts continue to be successful, 82 people have received help from the Occupational Therapy department, a property in Laman St in Cooks Hill was acquired to expand services to the northern district given the warm reception in Newcastle, thanks to A.F. Toll Pty Ltd for transporting Braille books without charge, various reports from Auxiliaries and the Black and White Ball continued to be the event of the season.1 volume with photographs and illustrationsroyal sydney industrial blind institution, annual report, helen keller hostel, roy kippax, c rae, goodie reeve, braille writers association of new south wales, occupational therapy, a.f. toll pty ltd, black and white committee, w.a. davis, les black, k curtis, fred wolfenden, stuart kerry, graeme dark, sandra dark, parramatta gaol

Articles in the annual report include: praise for Roy Kippax and A.J. Harris for their work and contribution to the success of the NSW War Blinded Welfare Committee, the response to a letter sent to the incoming Governor-General (the Duke of Gloucester), the compilation of a register of Blind Citizens of NSW, disappointment at not being able to improve or enlarge the property at Woollahra due to unsuccessful requests to the Commonwealth Government, the resignation of Matron Beaver after 8 years at the Haven due to ill health and the appointment of Matron McSwan to the position, continued success of workers in outside employment with only 4 people returning to the Institution, thanks to C H Martin for volunteering to assist in the placement of workers in outside industries, musicales were arranged in the library by Peggy Dunbar and Harold Williams, both a shortage of materials and a power strike has caused the workshop to shut down and workers to be sent home, the manufacture of Ship Fenders was added to our trades with orders from the Royal Australian Navy, Gordon Lavers is undertaking musical instruction at The Haven with two students Sylvia Barnett and Dorothy Falkiner progressing well, the 'Glow Worm' sessions, seeking advice of architects to modernise the William St building, the withdrawal of Ernest Scott as President but continuance on the committee, the appointment of Justice Maxwell as President and the retirement of City Collector W.H. Tuckwell who has worked for the Institution for 53 years.1 printed volume with black and white illustrationssydney industrial blind institution, annual report, roy kippax, a.j. harris, helen keller hostel, emily beaver, ch martin, peggy dunbar, harold williams, employment, sylvia barnett, dorothy falkiner, goodie reeve, 2gb, buildings, ernest scott, justice maxwell, wh tuckwell, auxiliaries

158 pages with illustrations on CDnon-fictionBrief history of the Sydney Industrial Blind Institution, which later became the Royal Blind Society of New South Wales, under the leadership of Henry Hedger and Sir Paul Cullen.sydney industrial blind institution, royal blind society of nsw

In 1878 Sydney Industrial Blind Institution was built on the corner of Boomerang and William Streets in Sydney. Designed by Edmund Blacket, it was intended to be a workshop, showroom for items produced there and accomodate 10-12 people to live on the premises. The three story building (and subsequent extensions) ended up being used up until 1971, when the need for more space and the limitations of city buildings necessitated the move to Enfield. As part of this transition, and due to the demolition of the old building, a stone archway was removed in 1971 and relocated to the new RBS offices in Mitchell Street. Almost half a century later, that site was sold however the archway could not be moved to the various commercial offices that now housed staff. City of Sydney council did not have a suitable location, as the original site was now a private housing complex, NSW Dept of Heritage did not preserve parts of buildings and it was not from a building originally located within the boundaries of the Burwood Council. The developers of the site recognised that it was part of the historic fabric of Sydney however, and placed it within the landscaped front entrance to the site.10 digital images of stone archwaysydney industrial blind institution, buildings, royal blind society of nsw, edmund blacket

Watercolour by Lin Ditchfield of the Royal Blind Society of New South Wales (formerly the Sydney Industrial Blind Institution) in William Street, Sydney. Built in 1880, the Edmund Blacket designed building was eventually sold in 1971. Located on the corner of William Street and Boomerang Place, the site was keenly sought by developers as the city landscape transformed into high rise office builidings, as evidenced in the background of this painting.1 water colour in beige frameLin Ditchfield 1971royal blind society of new south wales, lin ditchfield, artwork, buildings

This oil painting of the Sydney Industrial Blind Institution (later Royal Blind Society of New South Wales) at William Street was painted by F.R. Fowler in 1976. It was inspired by an original drawing done by Adam Stephan c1890. The building was erected between 1876 and 1879 and was designed by Edmund Blacket. It was funded through a generous bequest by John William Wood. The Institution provided the first employment training in NSW for people who were blind or vision impaired.Oil painting in wooden frame with nameplate at baseThe Sydney Industrial Blind Institution 1879f.r. fowler, sydney industrial blind institution, artwork

A series of early twentieth century photographs were sourced and reprinted on to chipboard panels for use by the Royal Blind Society of NSW publicity department, to demonstrate the work and activities that blind people did at the Sydney Industrial Blind Institute (later RBS NSW, now Vision Australia). The source of these photographs is unattributed and the remaining panels of the set have not been located.Working Braille shorthand machine - Panel 11, Photo 13 A corner of the girls' sitting room - a lesson in Braille music (blind pupil and blind teacher) - Panel 1, Photo 2 The Industrial Blind Institution, Boomerang Street, Sydney. No.1 workshop, east side - basketmaking - Panel 2, Photo 3royal blind society of nsw, education, employment

Newspaper clippings from a variety of Australian and New Zealand newspapers regarding blindness, the work of Auxiliaries, RVIB, handbills, concert programs, blind entertainers, blinded soldiers, a Braille globe of the world large enough for a child to enter it, various concert programs, and the activities, accidents and experiences of blind people in the community. A page from the Victorian Parliamentary Debates (p89), an election pamphlet by Prahran Election nominee H.F. Smith and the British Medical Journal (Nov 3, 1917, p585, Welfare of the Blind) are also included. 1 book of newspaper cuttingsassociation for the advancement of the blind, sydney industrial blind institution, fundraising, blind soldiers, royal victorian institute for the blind, employment, braille and talking book library, recreation, education, charles goode, queensland musical literary and self aid society for the blind, south australian institution for the blind deaf and dumb, queensland blind, deaf and dumb institution, blind advance association, victoria institute and industrial school, alfred felton, edward wilson, n.s.w. institution for deaf dumb and blind, st dunstan's, helen keller, tasmanian society for blind deaf and dumb, auckland jubilee institute for the blind

Formed in 1951, this register contain the minutes of the Executive Committee. The meetings were held in the premises of various blindness agencies around Australia. The Australian National Council for the Blind (ANCB) was formed in 1951. 11/11/1953 The Secretary reported that the ANCB had been admitted to full membership of the World Council for the welfare of the Blind and welcomed to being a body whereby matters appertaining to Blind welfare work throughout the world may be referred to the various organisations in Australia through this source. 1 volume of glued pagesroyal victorian institute for the blind, sydney industrial blind institution, queensland industrial institute for the blind

Rose pink satin scroll with names of donors printed upon it rests inside a brown wooden box. A plastic cover protects the scroll, and printed upon this is an image of the stone archway (from the first building housing the Sydney Industrial Blind Institution) as well as the words 'The Presidents Club'. To view the scroll, turn the handles up or down. List of names represents people who donated to an appeal (date unknown). Box was designed to be mounted on a wall.Wooden box with satin scroll of printed namesThe Presidents Clubroyal blind society of nsw, fundraising